Motor fuel additive composition

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an ether containing motor fuel additive composition which synergistically interacts with the ether additive to reduce fuel intake system deposit formation and/or combustion chamber deposit formation, thereby reducing engine ORI and maintaining desired engine performance.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a motor fuel additive composition for bulkfuel addition. More particularly, this invention relates to a motor fueladditive composition comprising: (a) a fuel conditioner componentcomprising (i) a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon compound, and (ii) anoxygenated compatibilizing agent; and (b) an ether, particularly MethylTertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) or Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE) for usein bulk production of motor fuels while improving performance anddecreasing ORI.

Furthermore, this invention relates to a motor fuel additive compositioncomprising: (a) a detergent component selected from the group consistingof (i) a reaction product component which is the reaction product of asubstituted hydrocarbon and an amino compound, and (ii) a succinicanhydride or succinic dibasic acid and (iii) a polybutylamine orpolyisobutylamine; and (b) a fuel conditioner component comprising (i) apolar oxygenated hydrocarbon compound, and (ii) an oxygenatedcompatibilizing agent; and (c) an ether, particularly Methyl TertiaryButyl Ether (MTBE) or Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE) for use in bulkproduction of motor fuels while improving performance and decreasingORI.

2. Description of the Related Art

MTBE is produced by reacting isobutylene with methanol in the presenceof a catalyst. Similarly, ETBE is produced by reacting isobutylene withethanol in the presence of a catalyst. The Production processes for MTBEand ETBE are very similar and typically use isobutylene feedstockderived from catalytic cracking and ethylene cracking in refineryoperations.

MTBE was first used in commercial gasoline in Italy in 1973, and wasfirst used in the United States in 1979. The use of MTBE in the UnitedStates grew very rapidly during the 1990s after the passage of the CleanAir Act Amendment of 1990. Oxygenated fuels containing MTBE and ETBEwere introduced in nearly all Carbon Monoxide (CO) non-attainment areasduring the winter months beginning in 1992. Oxygenated fuels weremandated in many ozone non-attainment areas beginning in 1995.

In the United States the maximum permitted levels of MTBE and ETBE ingasoline are 15 volume percent and 17.2 volume percent respectively. Atthese levels the ethers add 2.7 weight percent oxygen and contribute 2.5to 3.0 octane numbers respectively to the finished gasoline blend. Theperformance characteristics of MTBE and ETBE in gasoline are quitesimilar. Compared to MTBE, ETBE has a slightly higher energy content andlower vapor pressure. The low vapor pressure characteristic of ETBEmakes it an attractive blend component for reformulated gasoline.However, due to the higher cost of ethanol compared to methanol, theETBE is more expensive than MTBE. Unlike alcohols, ethers are fungiblewith gasoline and do not cause any phase separation problems during themovement of blended gasoline through pipelines.

MTBE and other ethers have a very distinct odor. This has led to somecomplaints by motorists who find the odor unpleasant and in some casesclaim the smell has mace them nauseous or caused eye irritation orrashes. The primary benefits of ethers (or oxygenates) is their abilityto contribute oxygen and octane to the gasoline to which they are added.Oxygenates also reduce tailpipe emissions of CO and toxic hydrocarbons.Depending on vehicle technology, type and amount of oxygenate used, thecharacteristics of the base gasoline, the CO reduction can range from10% to 30% while the toxics reduction can be approximately 12% to 17%.Due to the slightly lower energy content of ethers compared to gasoline,the use of MTBE or ETBE can result in about a 2% increase in fuelconsumption.

In view of the foregoing, it would clearly be advantageous to employ anadditive in ether containing motor fuel compositions which reducesavoids the formation of deposits in engine combustion chambers, therebyreducing or at least modifying the composition of deposits which tend tocause engine ORI. It would further be advantageous to employ an additivein ether containing motor fuel compositions which is useful inpreventing both fuel intake system deposit formation and combustionchamber deposit formation which tend to cause engine ORI.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a motor fuel additive forether containing motor fuels, which is useful in preventing combustionchamber deposit formation. It is a feature of this invention that theadditive comprises a fuel conditioner component, which synergisticallyinteracts to reduce combustion chamber deposit formation. It is anadvantage of this invention that it both reduces ORI associated withcombustion chamber deposit formation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a motor fuel additivefor ether containing motor fuels, which is useful in preventing bothfuel intake system deposit formation and combustion chamber depositformation. It is a feature of this invention that the additive comprisesa detergent component and a fuel conditioner component, whichsynergistically interact to reduce both fuel intake system andcombustion chamber deposit formation. It is an advantage of thisinvention that it both reduces deposit formation in engine fuel intakesystems and ORI associated with combustion chamber deposit formation.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a motor fueladditive which reduces deposits in engine fuel intake systems and alsoreduces the amount of ethers required in gasoline while maintainingengine performance.

Still another object of the present invention provides for an ethercontaining motor fuel additive composition which reduces and modifiescombustion chamber deposit formation for the purpose of reducing engineoctane requirement increase and allows the use of lower levels of etherswhile retaining engine performance comprising a mixture of: (a) a fuelconditioner component comprising: (i) from about 2 to about 50 weightpercent, based upon the total weight of the fuel conditioner component,of a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an average molecular weight inthe range of about 200 to about 500, an acid number in the range ofabout 25 to about 175, and a saponification number in the range of about30 to about 250, and (ii) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, basedupon the total of the fuel conditioner component, of an oxygenatedcompatibilizing agent preferably having a solubility parameter in therange of about 7.0 to about 14.0 and moderate to strong hydrogencapacity; and (b) an ether selected from the group consisting of MTBEand ETBE.

Yet still another object of the present invention is directed to anether containing motor fuel additive composition that reduces andmodifies both fuel intake system and combustion chamber depositformation for the purpose of reducing engine octane requirement increaseand allows the use of lower levels of ethers while retaining engineperformance comprising a mixture of: (a) from about 5 to about 50 weightpercent, based upon the total weight of components a and b, of adetergent component selected from the group consisting of (i) a reactionproduct of: (A) a substituted hydrocarbon of the formulaR₁—X  (I)wherein R₁ is a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular weight in therange of about 150 to about 10,000, and X is selected from the groupconsisting of halogens, succinic anhydride and succinic dibasic acid,and (B) an amino compound of the formulaH—(NH-(A)_(m))_(n)-Y—R₂  (II)wherein Y is O or NR_(5′)R₅ being H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30carbon atoms; A is a straight chain or branched chain alkylene radicalhaving 1-30 carbon atoms; m has a value in the range of 1-15; n has avalue in the range of 0-6; and R₂ is selected from the group consistingof H, a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular weight in the range ofabout 15 to about 10,000, and a homopolymeric or heteropolymericpolyoxyalkylene radical of the formulaR₃-((Q)_(a)(T)_(b)(Z)_(c))_(d)-  (III)wherein R₃ is H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30 carbon atoms, Q, T,and Z are polyoxyalkylene moieties having 1-6 carbon atoms, a, b and ceach have values ranging from 0-30, and d has a value in the range of1-50, and (ii) a polybutylamine or polyisobutylamine of the formula

where R₁₁ is a polybutyl or polyisobutyl radical derived from isobuteneand up to 20% by weight of n-butene and R₁₂ and R₁₃ are identical ordifferent and are each hydrogen, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, aprimary or secondary, aromatic or aliphatic aminoalkylene radical orpolyaminoalkylene radical, a polyoxyalkylene radical or a heteroaryl orheterocyclyl radical, or, together with the nitrogen atom to which theyare bonded, form a ring in which further hetero atoms may be present;and (b) a fuel conditioner component comprising: (i) from about 2 toabout 50 weight percent, based upon the total weight of components a andb, of a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an average molecular weightin the range of about 200 to about 500, an acid number in the range ofabout 25 to about 175, and a saponification number in the range of about30 to about 250, and (ii) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, basedupon the total weight of components a and b, of an oxygenatedcompatibilizing agent preferably having a solubility parameter in therange of about 7.0 to about 14.0 and moderate to strong hydrogencapacity; and (c) an ether selected from the group consisting of MTBEand ETBE.

The fuel conditioner component may additionally comprise a hydrophilicseparant such as a glycol monoether. The additive composition mayadditionally comprise a carrier oil or fluidizer.

This invention is also directed to an ether containing motor fuelcontaining the present invention which may be added with the ether andany other additives or added after the addition of the ether and anyother additives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is in one aspect directed to an ether containing motorfuel additive comprising: (a) a detergent component which is selectedfrom the group consisting of (i) the reaction product of a substitutedhydrocarbon and an amino compound, (ii) a polybutylamine orpolyisobutylamine; (b) a fuel conditioner component comprising a polaroxygenated hydrocarbon compound and an oxygenated compatibilizing agent;and (c) an ether selected from the group consisting of MTBE and ETBE.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an ethercontaining motor fuel additive comprising (a) a fuel conditionercomponent comprising a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon compound and anoxygenated compatibilizing agent; and (b) an ether selected from thegroup consisting of MTBE and ETBE.

If the reaction product detergent component is employed, the substitutedhydrocarbon reactant used to prepare the reaction product is of theformulaR₁—X  (I)wherein R₁ is a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular weight in therange of about 150 to about 10,000, preferably a polyalkylene radicalhaving a molecular weight in the range of about 400 to about 5000, mostpreferably a polyalkylene radical having a molecular weight in the rangeof about 600 to about 1500, and X is selected from the group consistingof halogens, preferably chlorine, succinic anhydride and succinicdibasic acid. In one preferred embodiment, R₁—X is a polyisobutenylsuccinic anhydride. In another preferred embodiment, R₁—X is achloropolyisobutylene, The amino compound reactant used to prepare thereaction product is of the formulaH—(NH-(A)_(m))_(n)-Y—R₂  (II)wherein Y is O or NR_(5′)R₅ being H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30carbon atoms, preferably 1-22 carbon atoms; A is a straight chain orbranched chain alkylene radical having 1-30, preferably 1-15 carbonatoms; m has a value in the range of 1-15, preferably 1-12; n has avalue in the range of 0-6, preferably 0-5; and R₂ is selected from thegroup consisting of H, a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular weightin the range of about 15 to about 10,000, preferably 15 to about 2000,and a homopolymeric or heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene radical of theformulaR₃-((Q)_(a)(T)_(b)(Z)_(c))_(d)-  (III)wherein R₃ is H or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-30, preferably 1-22carbon atoms, Q, T, and Z are polyoxyalkylene moieties having 1-6 carbonatoms, a, b, and c each have values ranging from 0-30, and d has a valuein the range of 1-50, preferably 1-25.

Various preferred embodiments of the amino compound reactant of formula(II) are given in Table 1 below:

Table 1

1. A═CH₂, m=2, n=3, Y═NR_(5′)R₅═H, R₂═H, yields an amino compoundreactant of the formula:NH₂—(CH₂)₂—NH—(CH₂)₂—NH—(CH₂)₂—NH₂

2. A═CH₂, m=3, n=1, Y═NR_(5′)R₅═H, R₂=oleyl radical, yields an aminocompound reactant of the formula:NH₂—(CH₂)₃—NH-oleyl

3. A═CH₂, m=6, n=1, Y═NR_(5′)R₅═H, R₂═H, yields an amino compoundreactant of the formula:NH₂—(CH₂)₆—NH₂

4. A═CH₂, m=12, n=1, Y═NR_(5′)R₅═H, R₂═H, yields an amino compoundreactant of the formula:NH₂—(CH₂)₁₂—NH₂

5.

yields an amino compound reactant of the formula:

6.

, yields an amino compound reactant of the formula:

In another preferred embodiment, R₂ is the above-described homopolymericor heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene radical of formula (III). As used inthis description and in the appended claims, the terms homopolymeric andheteropolymeric refer to polyoxyalkylene compounds, which in the case ofhomopolymeric compounds contain one recurring polyoxyalkylene moiety,and in the case of heteropolymeric compounds contain more than onerecurring polyoxyalkylene moiety, typically having 1-6 carbon atoms,such as ethylene oxide (EO), propylene oxide (PO) or butylene oxide(BO). Thus, for example, in one embodiment R₂ may be a homopolymericpolyoxyalkylene radical of the formulaR₃-((EO))_(d)-wherein in formula (III), a=I, b=0, c=0, Q=ethylene oxide, and R₃ and dare as previously defined. In another embodiment, R₂ may be aheteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene radical of the formulaR₃-((EO)_(a)(PO)_(b)(BO)_(c))_(d)—wherein, in formula III, Q=ethylene oxide, T=propylene oxide, Z=butyleneoxide, and a, b, c, d and R₃ are as previously described.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the above-described amino compoundreactant is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenepolyamines, polypropylene polyamines and mixtures thereof. In yetanother preferred embodiment, such polyamines are monoalkylated.

The reaction product component is preferably prepared by reacting thesubstituted hydrocarbon R₁—X to the amino compound in a mole ratio inthe range of 0.2:1-20:1, more preferably in the range of 0.5:1-10:1. Thereaction product component may be prepared under reaction conditions(including e.g. reaction times, temperatures, and reagent proportions)as are well known by those skilled in the art for preparing such aminocompound-substituted hydrocarbon reaction products. The method forpreparing such reaction products is described, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 3,172,892 (LeSeur et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,757 (Honnen et al.),and U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,918 (Kautsky et al.), all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The detergent compound may also be a polybutylamine or polyisobutylamineof the formula(IV)

where R₁₁ is a polybutyl- or polyisobutyl radical derived from isobuteneand up to 20% by weight of n-butene, and R₁₂ and R₁₃ are identical ordifferent and are each hydrogen, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, aprimary or secondary, aromatic or aliphatic aminoalkylene radical orpolyaminoalkylene radical, a polyoxyalkylene radical or a heteroaryl orheterocyclyl radical, or, together with the nitrogen atom to which theyare bonded, form a ring in which further hetero atoms may be present.

Compounds of the general formula (IV) and the method of preparationthereof are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,702 (Kummeret al.), incorporated herein by reference. Compounds of the generalformula (IV) are preferably prepared in accordance with the methoddisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,702, wherein an appropriate polybuteneor polyisobutene is hydroformylated with a rhodium or cobalt catalyst inthe presence of CO and H at from about 80-200° C. and CO/H2 pressures ofup to 600 bar, and the oxo product thereby formed is then subjected to aMannich reaction or amination under hydrogenating conditions, whereinthe amination reaction is advantageously carried out at 80-200° C. andunder pressures up to 600 bar, preferably 80-300 bar.

The fuel conditioner component employed in admixture with the detergentcomponent to produce the additive of this invention may preferably bethe fuel conditioner previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,661(Nelson et al.), incorporated herein by reference. This fuel conditionercomprises a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon compound and an oxygenatedcompatibilizing agent.

The polar oxygenated hydrocarbon portion of the fuel conditionersignifies various organic mixtures arising from the controlled oxidationof petroleum liquids with air. Often these air oxidations of liquiddistillates are carried out at a temperature of from about 100° C. toabout 150° C. with an organo-metallic catalyst, such as esters ofmanganese, copper, iron, cobalt, nickel or tin, or organic catalysts,such as tertiary butyl peroxide. The result is a melange of polaroxygenated compounds which may be divided into at least threecategories: volatile, saponifiable and non-saponifiable.

The polar oxygenated compounds preferable for use in the presentinvention may be characterized in a least three ways, by molecularweight, acid number, and saponification number. It is to be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that the terms “molecular weight” and“average molecular weight” are synonymous and are herein usedinterchangeably. It is to be further appreciated that there are severalmethods of determining the average molecular weight of an organicmaterial and that different methods will produce different results forthe same material. Chemically these oxidation products are mixtures ofacids, hydroxy acids, lactones, eaters, ketones, alcohols, anhydrides,and other oxygenated organic compounds. Those suitable for the presentinvention are compounds and mixtures with an average molecular weightbetween about 200 and about 500, with an acid number between about 25and about 175 (ASTM-D-974), and a saponification number from about 30 toabout 250 (ASTM-D-974-52). Preferably the polar oxygenated compounds ofthe present invention have an acid number from about 50 to about 100 anda saponification number from about 75 to about 200.

Suitable compatibilizing agents for use in the fuel conditionercomponent of the instant invention are organic compounds of moderatesolubility parameter and moderate to strong hydrogen-bonding capacity.Solubility parameters, 6, based on cohesive energy density are afundamental descriptor of an organic solvent giving a measure of itspolarity. Simple aliphatic molecules of low polarity have a low δ ofabout 7.3; highly polar water has a high δ of 23.4. Solubilityparameters, however, are just a first approximation to the polarity ofan organic solvent. Also important to generalized polarity, and hencesolvent power, are dipole moment and hydrogen-bonding capacity.Symmetrical carbon tetrachloride and some aromatics with low grossdipole moment and poor hydrogen-bonding capacity have a solubilityparameter of about 8.5. In contrast, methyl propyl ketone has almost thesame solubility parameter, 8.7, but quite strong hydrogen-bondingcapacity and a definite dipole moment. Thus, no one figure of meritalone describes the “polarity” of an organic solvent.

For the practice of the present invention a compatibilizing agentpreferably having a solubility parameter from about 7.0 to about 14.0and moderate to strong hydrogen-bonding capacity. Suitable classes oforganic solvents are alcohols, ketones, esters, and ethers.

The fuel conditioner component of this invention may additionallyinclude a hydrophilic separant which decreases the amount of water inthe hydrocarbon fuel, thus improving combustion. Suitable separants forpracticing the current invention are ethers of glycols or polyglycols,especially monoethers. Monoethers are preferred over diethers in thepractice of the present invention.

Examples of such compounds which may be used are the monoethers ofethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, alphabutyleneglycol, 1,3-butanediol, beta-butylene glycol, isobutylene glycol,tetramethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropyleneglycol, tripropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol,1,5-pentanediol, 2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol,2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol. Some monoethers include ethylene glycolmonophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethylether, ethylene glycolmonoethyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-(n-butyl) ether, diethylene glycolmonomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycolmono-(n-butyl) ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropyleneglycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monocyclohexylether, ethyleneglycol monobenzyl ether, triethylene glycol monophenethyl ether,butylene glycol mono-(p-(n-butoxy) phenyl) ether, trimethylene glycolmono(alkylphenyl) ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethyleneglycol mono-isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisobutyl ether,ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether,triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether,1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, monophenyl ether of polypropylene glycolhaving an average molecular weight of about 975 to 1075, and monophenylether of polypropylene glycol wherein the polyglycol has a averagemolecular weight of about 400 to 450, monophenyl ether of polypropyleneglycol wherein the polypropylene glycol has an average molecular weightof about 975 to 1075. Such compounds are sold commercially under tradenames such as Butyl CELLOSOLVE, Ethyl CELLOSOLVE, Hexyl CELLOSOLVE,Methyl CARBITOL, Butyl CARBITOL, DOWANOL Glycol ethers, and the like.

The composition of this invention may additionally comprise a suitableamount of a carrier oil or fluidizer selected from the group consistingof petroleum-based oils, mineral oils, polypropylene compounds having amolecular weight in the range of about 500 to about 3000,polyisobutylene compounds having a molecular weight in the range ofabout 500 to about 3000, polyoxyalkylene compounds having a molecularweight in the range of about 500 to about 3000, and polybutyl andpolyisobutyl alcohols containing polybutyl or polyisobutyl radicalsderived from polyisobutene and up to 20% by weight of n-butene,corresponding carboxylates of the polybutyl or polyisobutyl alcohol, andmixtures thereof. Petroleum based oils which may be employed include topcylinder oils as well as both natural and synthetic naphthenic andparaffinic base stock oils of relatively high viscosity, includingso-called Solvent Neutral Oils (SNO) such as SNO-500 and SNO-600.Mineral oils which may be employed include so-called “light” mineraloils, i.e. those petroleum, aliphatic or alicyclic fractions having aviscosity less than about 10,000 SUS at 250° C. A mixture of hydrocarbonfractions may also be employed in place of a base stock. Theabove-described polybutyl and polyisobutyl alcohols include thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,210 (Franz et al.), incorporated hereinby reference. As used in this description and in the appended claims,the terms “carrier oil” and “fluidizer” are interchangeable, as will bereadily understood by those skilled in the art.

Given the presence of the many constituents described above, a widevariety of proportions are suitable for the additive composition of thisinvention. Below a “Useful Range” and a “Preferred Range” are given inweight percent, based upon the total weight of the additive composition:TABLE 2 Component Useful Range Preferred Range Detergent Component 5-5010-40  Polar Oxygenated Compound 2-50 10-40  Compatibilizing Agent 2-505-25 Hydrophilic Separant 0-40 0-30 Carrier Oil 0-40 0-30 EtherCompounds balance of the additive package is an ether

Suitable ether compounds for use in the present invention include forexample, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and Ethyl Teriary ButylEther (ETBE). Preferably the amount of ether compounds is about 15volume percent or less for MTBE and about 17.2 volume percent or lessfor ETBE.

The additive composition of this invention may be employed in a widevariety of hydrocarbon or modified hydrocarbon (e.g. alcohol-containing)fuels for a variety of engines. Preferred motor fuel compositions foruse with the additive composition of this invention are those intendedfor use in spark ignition internal combustion engines. Such motor fuelcompositions, comprise a fuel component generally referred to asgasoline base stocks, preferably comprise a mixture of hydrocarbonsboiling in the gasoline boiling range, preferably form about 90-450° F.This base fuel may consist of straight chains, branch chains, paraffins,cycloparaffins, olefins, aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.The base fuel may be derived from, among others, straight run naphtha,polymer gasoline, natural gasoline, or from catalytically cracked orthermally cracked hydrocarbons and catalytically reformed stock. Thecomposition and octane level of the base fuel are not critical and anyconventional leaded motor base fuel may be employed in the practice ofthis invention. In addition, the motor fuel composition may additionallycomprise other additives typically employed in motor fuels, such asanti-icing additives, upper cylinder lubricating oils, carburetordetergents, anti-corrosion additives, de-emulsifying agents, odorsuppressors, and the like.

Throughout the specification, examples and claims the followingdefinitions are used.

Combustion Chamber Deposits (CCD) means deposits formed in thecombustion chamber of an engine, due to the deposition of carbonaceousdeposits of unburned fuel components and deposits from other additivespresent in the fuel.

Octane Requirement Increase (ORI) means the increase in octanerequirement that results from the build up of combustion chamberdeposits. ORI begins to build up as soon as a new engine is started forthe first time as CCDs begin to form in the combustion chamber of theengine. ORI reaches equilibrium between 10,000 to 15,000 miles in thelife of a new engine. The octane requirement increase is typically 58octane numbers by the time equilibrium is reached.

Octane Number Required (ONR) means the octane level required to provideknock-free operations in a given engine.

Octane Enhancer means components that are added to gasoline to increaseoctane and to reduce engine knock, such as for example, MTBE and ETBE.

The present invention fuel conditioner contains only carbon, hydrogen,and oxygen and has been approved by the United States EPA assubstantially similar to gasoline, thus allowing for bulk treatment ofunleaded gasoline. The present invention is used in very low treatmentrates ranging from about 100 to 1000 parts per million (ppm). Testinghas shown that the present invention accelerates combustion, releasingthe energy earlier in the combustion process, which results in improvedpower, more complete combustion, and cooler exhaust gas temperatures. Inaddition the present invention has been shown to reduce ORI and ONR byfrom about 50% to about 80% equivalent to about 2 to 5 octane numbers ingasoline engines. The results are improved vehicle performance, reducedONR, improved fuel economy, cleaner combustion chambers with lowermaintenance costs, as well as lower CO and HC emissions.

1. An ether containing motor fuel additive composition which reduces andmodifies combustion chamber deposit formation for the purpose ofreducing engine octane requirement increase and allows the use of lowerlevels of ether while retaining engine performance comprising a mixtureof: (a) a fuel conditioner component comprising: (i) from about 2 toabout 50 weight percent, based upon the total weight of the fuelconditioner component, of a polar oxygenated hydrocarbon having anaverage molecular weight in the range of about 200 to about 500, an acidnumber in the range of about 25 to about 175, and a saponificationnumber in the range of about 30 to about 250, and (ii) from about 2 toabout 50 weight percent, based upon the total of the fuel conditionercomponent, of an oxygenated compatibilizing agent preferably having asolubility parameter in the range of about 7.0 to about 14.0 andmoderate to strong hydrogen capacity; and (b) an ether selected from thegroup consisting of MTBE and ETBE.
 2. The ether containing motor fueladditive composition according to claim 1, allowing the MTBE to bereduced below 15 volume percent while maintaining desired engineperformance.
 3. The ether containing motor fuel additive compositionaccording to claim 1, allowing the ETBE to be reduced below 17.2 volumepercent while maintaining desired engine performance.
 4. The ethercontaining motor fuel additive composition according to claim 1, whereinsaid additive composition is added to the base fuel in an amount of fromabout 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm.
 5. The ether containing motor fueladditive composition according to claim 1, wherein said additivecomposition is added to the base fuel containing a detergent in anamount of from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm.
 6. The ether containingmotor fuel additive composition according to claim 1, wherein saidadditive composition is added to the base fuel simultaneously with anyother additives.
 7. The ether containing motor fuel additive compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein said additive composition is added to thebase fuel after any other additives have been added.
 8. The ethercontaining motor fuel additive composition according to claim 1, whereinsaid MTBE is present in a amount of from about 1 volume percent to about10 volume percent.
 9. The ether containing motor fuel additivecomposition according to claim 1, wherein said ETBE is present in aamount of from about 1 volume percent to about 10 volume percent.
 10. Anether containing motor fuel additive composition which reduces andmodifies both fuel intake system and combustion chamber depositformation for the purpose of reducing engine octane requirement increaseand allows the use of lower levels of ether containing while retainingengine performance comprising a mixture of: (a) from about 5 to about 50weight percent, based upon the total weight of components a and b, of adetergent component selected from the group consisting of (i) a reactionproduct of: (A) a substituted hydrocarbon of the formulaR₁—X  (I) wherein R₁ is a hydrocarbyl radical having a molecular weightin the range of about 150 to about 10,000, and X is selected from thegroup consisting of halogens, succinic anhydride and succinic dibasicacid, and (B) an amino compound of the formulaH—(NH-(A)_(m))_(n)-Y—R₂  (II) wherein Y is O or NR_(5′)R₅ being H or ahydrocarbyl radical having 1-30 carbon atoms; A is a straight chain orbranched chain alkylene radical having 1-30 carbon atoms; A isstraight-chain or a branched-chain alkylene radical having 1 30 carbonatoms, m has a value in the range of 1-15; n has a value in the range of0-6; and R₂ is selected from the group consisting of H, a hydrocarbylradical having a molecular weight in the range of about 15 to about10,000, and a homopolymeric or heteropolymeric polyoxyalkylene radicalof the formulaR₃-((Q)_(a)(T)_(b)(Z)_(c))_(d)-  (III) wherein R₃ is H or a hydrocarbylradical having 1-30 carbon atoms, Q, T, and Z are polyoxyalkylenemoieties having 1-6 carbon atoms, a, b and c each have values rangingfrom 0-30, and d has a value in the range of 1-50, and (ii) apolybutylamine or polyisobutylamine of the formula

where R₁₁ is a polybutyl or polyisobutyl radical derived from isobuteneand up to 20% by weight of n-butene and R₁₂ and R₁₃ are identical ordifferent and are each hydrogen, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, aprimary or secondary, aromatic or aliphatic aminoalkylene radical orpolyaminoalkylene radical, a polyoxyalkylene radical or a heteroaryl orheterocyclyl radical, or, together with the nitrogen atom to which theyare bonded, form a ring in which further hetero atoms may be present;(b)a fuel conditioner component comprising: (i) from about 2 to about 50weight percent, based upon the total weight of components a and b, of apolar oxygenated hydrocarbon having an average molecular weight in therange of about 200 to about 500, an acid number in the range of about 25to about 175, and a saponification number in the range of about 30 toabout 250, and (ii) from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, based uponthe total of components a and b, of an oxygenated compatibilizing agentpreferably having a solubility parameter in the range of about 7.0 toabout 14.0 and moderate to strong hydrogencapacity; and (c) an etherselected from the group consisting of MTBE and ETBE.
 11. The ethercontaining motor fuel additive composition according to claim 10,allowing the MTBE to be reduced below 15 volume percent whilemaintaining desired engine performance.
 12. The ether containing motorfuel additive composition according to claim 10, allowing the ETBE to bereduced below 17.2 volume percent while maintaining desired engineperformance.
 13. The ether containing motor fuel additive compositionaccording to claim 10, wherein said additive composition is added to thebase fuel in an amount of from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm.
 14. Theether containing motor fuel additive composition according to claim 10,wherein said additive composition is added to the base fuel containing adetergent in an amount of from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm.
 15. Theether containing motor fuel additive composition according to claim 10,wherein said additive composition is added to the base fuelsimultaneously with any other additives.
 16. The ether containing motorfuel additive composition according to claim 10, wherein said additivecomposition is added to the base fuel after any other additives havebeen added.
 17. The ether containing motor fuel additive compositionaccording to claim 10, wherein said MTBE is present in a amount of fromabout 1 volume percent to about 10 volume percent.
 18. The ethercontaining motor fuel additive composition according to claim 10,wherein said ETBE is present in a amount of from about 1 volume percentto about 10 volume percent.